Page 87 of On the Wild Side
Jackie grins. “Honey, I know it’s relatively new, but this is a small town. Do you think that everyone doesn’t know that you two are together? Silly girl.”
I know that she doesn’t mean anything bad by it. Jackie’s the sweetest lady.
“Small towns,” Millie says with a wink. “They get you every time. Where is Brady this week, anyway?”
“Santa Fe,” I reply, suddenly feeling nervous and shy. I don’t like being the center of attention. “He rides later today and should be back late tonight.”
“We sure are proud of him,” Jackie says with a smile before she sits down with her pizza.
I’m proud of him, too.
There’s no reason for me to want to shut down at the idea of all of Bitterroot Valley knowing that Brady and I are a couple. I love him. He’s it for me.
But I’ve never loved being the one under a microscope. Since I lost my mom, it’s been in my nature to blend in and not make waves.
To not be noticed.
“It was rather sad when I heard the last Wild brother was scooped up,” someone says. I don’t know who because now I’m staring down at my hands. “They’re all a bunch of hotties—no offense, girls. I guess we all hoped it would be a local to catch Brady’s eye. That’s one fine cowboy.”
There’s laughter, but I feel my cheeks heat.
I want the floor to open up and swallow me.
With that one statement, I am reminded that I’m nota local.I don’t really belong here. And I don’t deserve someone as amazing as Brady Wild.
“Stop,” Erin whispers in my ear, clasping my hand in hers. “No one means anything by that.”
I take a breath and force a smile.
“I mean it,” she continues. “You pick your chin up because Brady is obsessed with you, you’re absolutely gorgeous and wonderful, and you’re not doing anything wrong.”
I clear my throat and nod, my smile more genuine when I turn it on her.
“Thank you for that.”
“I love you,” she says, and that alone just about brings tears to my eyes.
They love me.
And I love them.
“Okay, let’s not make you wait any longer to hear from ourspectacularspeaker today,” Summer says as she jumps up to introduce Sophie. “This woman really needs no introduction,but I’m going to give her one anyway. Sophie Montgomery-Harrison is a multi-million dollar entrepreneur in the health and wellness industry, but we all know that she’s so much more than that. She inspires women to love themselves, just as they are, and she gives awesome advice on home décor, skincare, and even gardening. There’s nothing this woman can’t do. Give it up for Sophie Montgomery-Harrison!”
We don’t just applaud. We stand and hoot and holler, and down below, someone honks their horn in response, making us laugh.
“Well, that’ll make a girl blush,” Sophie says with a laugh and takes the microphone, moving the stool out of the way. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to stay standing so I can come to you and wander as I talk. I guess I’ll tell you a bit about me and how I got started in this business, and then we can just chat.”
We all nod at that, and she begins.
“I come from a physicallybeautifulfamily. Like, there are literal movie stars and athletes in my family, you guys. And when I was a teenager, I thought I was fat. Thus began my struggle with food and eating in general. When I lost my best friend at thirteen—she died of a heart attack from being anorexic—I knew that I wanted to do something with my life that helped shift the way we think about ourselves. So, I became a nutritionist and a health coach, and yes, I’m still a size sixteen. I run, I lift weights, I’m mostly vegetarian and eat no sugar, and my body is naturally this size. It’s who I am. My husband thinks I’m hot as fuck, and, well, so do I. And, because I was born in an age of social media, I’ve been able to reach a lot of people with my message of self-love and health.”
We clap for her, and Sophie continues to speak about her company and what’s worked for her to grow her brand, and then she opens it up to questions.
“I have a question,” Charlie Lexington, Holden’s sister, says, raising her hand.
“Yes, ma’am.” Sophie jogs over to Charlie and gives her the mic.
“Can your husband introduce us to his single teammates?”